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The Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Identification and Subsequent Medical Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in the United States

This study estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness of routine glaucoma assessment and treatment under current eye care visit and treatment patterns and different levels of treatment effectiveness. The study found that glaucoma treatment was highly cost-effective when the costs of diagnostic assessments were excluded and were reasonable and in line with other health interventions even when diagnostic assessment costs were included and assuming conservative efficacy. Compared to no treatment and when including diagnostic assessment costs, the incremental cost-effectiveness of routine assessment and treatment was $46,000 per quality adjusted life (QALY) gained assuming conservative treatment efficacy and $28,000 per QALY gained assuming optimistic treatment efficacy. Compared to no treatment and when excluding diagnostic assessment costs, the incremental cost-effectiveness of routine assessment and treatment was $20,000 per QALY gained assuming conservative treatment efficacy and $11,000 per QALY gained assuming optimistic treatment efficacy.

Incremental Cost-Effectiveness of Routine Assessment and Treatment Compared to no Care